• Admission Requirements
• Application Procedure
• Scholarships
• Graduate Bursaries

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

• A four-year baccalaureate degree with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher from an accredited university.
• Executive Masters degree applicants (EMBA, EMHCA and EMPA) must have at least three years of mid- to upper-level management experience.
• Executive Masters in Business Administration, Master of Science in Finance and Master of Science in International Business degree applicants are required to have a basic knowledge of accounting, finance, economics and statistics prior to gaining entry into the main masters program. Applicants may therefore be required to successfully complete appropriate pre-program courses at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Students who have completed the equivalent courses at other institutions will be exempted from this requirement.
• The language of instruction is English. Student success is closely tied to English proficiency. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
  • An IELTS score of 5.5
  • A TOEFL paper-based score of 550
  • A TOEFL computer-based score of 213
  • A TOEFL internet-based score of 79
  If the applicant has a baccalaureate degree from a university in which English is the language of instruction and the university is located in a country where the principal language is English, the exam will likely be waived.

Other Admission Requirements

• Transcript: Degree Certificate
  
  

  Applicants are required to submit an official transcript with an English translation (if necessary) from the university granting the degree. Transcripts in Arabic should be translated into English. The transcript should indicate the degree and when it was received. If the transcript does not include this information, an official degree certificate must be submitted. If the degree is awarded by a foreign university, a letter from the U.A.E. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research recognizing the degree must be submitted.

• Essay
  
  

  Applicants, other than Master of Education degree applicants, are required to submit a 250-word essay stating what the degree would mean to the applicant's career. Essays should be submitted in typewritten form in English.

  Master of Education degree applicants are required to write two essays in English as part of the application. Limit each essay to two typewritten pages.

  1. Describe your aptitude and motivation for graduate study in education, including your preparation for this field of study, your academic plans, and your future career goals.
  2. Discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue the Master of Education degree of your choice. Please include any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your wish to continue your education. Discuss how you might contribute to improvement of education and how you might serve education with your degree.
• Writing Sample
  
  

  In addition to the essay, Master of Arts applicants are required to include a writing sample in English (preferably a technical document such as a report; an academic essay is also acceptable). Limit the writing sample to five typewritten pages.

• Letter of Sponsorship
  
  

  If employed, applicants must include a letter of sponsorship from the employer. There are two types of organizational support: one is support for the endeavour itself, that is, recognizing that the applicant will be required to invest considerable time to complete the program and supporting the candidate's efforts to pursue the degree. The other one is financial. It is not necessary to obtain financial support from the employer. However, financial support of the applicant's effort to enhance his/her value to the organization is a statement of commitment by the employer. The letter must be sealed and signed across the flap.

• Recommendation Letters
  
  

  Applicants must include two letters of recommendation. One letter might be from the applicant's current line manager/supervisor. The other letter might be from a colleague or other individual with whom the applicant has worked. Letters from former teachers or professors are also eligible in this case. Similarly, an applicant who does not have work experience can substitute with a reference letter from a former teacher. Both letters must be sealed and signed across the flap.

  The letters of recommendation should address the following questions and points:

  • How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity?
  • What do you consider to be the applicant's primary strengths and weaknesses?
  • Comment on the applicant's interpersonal skills.
  • Comment on the applicant's potential for career success after completing the degree.
  • The applicant will be expected to do well, both on the job and in a demanding academic program.
  • Comment on his/her ability to handle these multiple tasks.
  • Discuss the applicant's ability to work on team oriented tasks. On a scale of one to ten (one being the lowest and ten the highest), how would you rate the applicant's current overall leadership ability?
• Interview
  
  

  A successful interview in English with the Admissions Committee is required to confirm interest in the program and academic preparedness.

• Technology Expertise
  
  

  Applicants must be able to use email, the Internet, and Microsoft Word, OR be willing to develop technical expertise prior to the beginning of the program, OR be willing to take a one-day technology course sponsored by Zayed University prior to the beginning of the program.

  Students must have their own laptop computer with the following minimum specifications: Pentium lll 600 Mhz processor, 8 MB RAM graphics memory, 12 GB hard drive disk, 128 MB RAM memory, 6X DVD, 56K modem, built-in wireless card and WinXP operating system

Other Requirements

• A completed application form
• A current resume
• A passport copy
• Two passport-size photos

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Application Procedure

Application

Admission is open to males and females of all nationalities.

An important factor in the success of the graduate programs is the quality of the participants. We seek highly motivated individuals who can make a strong personal commitment to the time requirements of the program.

The size of each entering class is limited, which ensures a group of highly qualified and committed participants. To ensure a quality education, no more than 30 students will be accepted into each cohort.

The application is the candidate's introduction to the Admissions Committee. All materials should be submitted in typewritten form in English. A carefully assembled and professional set of application materials will strengthen the case for admission to the program.

Application Process

You can apply to study at any time throughout the year. However, early application will allow us to process your application more effectively.

Download and complete the appropriate Application for Graduate Program Admission form and return it to the Office of Graduate Studies, or alternatively you may wish to contact the Office of Graduate Studies at +971-2-599-3605 to request one to be sent to you.

Applications will not be processed unless they are accompanied by all relevant documentation and the non-refundable application fee. Certified photocopies of original documents are preferred to originals.

Documents may be mailed to:

Office of Graduate Studies
Zayed University
P.O. Box 4783
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Tel: +971-2-599-3605
Fax: +971-2-446-7443

Academic Credit for Prior Tertiary Studies

Zayed University may provide academic credit for previous graduate studies provided:

• The courses have been successfully completed at a recognized tertiary institution; and
• The courses meet the requirements of the Zayed University degree.

Please include the following documents in order to have your academic credit application assessed:

• A certified copy of the academic transcript, including the final results for all the relevant courses; and
• Full course outlines for each of the relevant courses.

Students seeking academic credit for previous graduate studies are advised to contact the Office of Graduate Studies at +971-2-599-3331 for further information and advice on whether they qualify for academic credit towards a Zayed University program.

Offers

If you meet the University's entry requirements you will receive a formal letter of offer to which you will be expected to respond.

Deferment

In certain circumstances, Zayed University will permit deferment of an offered place for up to one year. Applicants will only be permitted to defer if they have paid the non-refundable tuition deposit.

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Program Cost

* Academic merit-based scholarships are offered.

Program cost includes the introductory workshops, tuition, textbooks, course notes, access to library facilities and computing services, support of the Zayed University Computing Services staff, and onsite meals and refreshments.

Students must have their own laptop computer.

A non-refundable fee of AED 400 must accompany the application.

Payment Procedure

A non-refundable cohort registration fee of 10% of the total tuiton fee must be paid a minimum of 5 working days before the Orientation Day of the program to guarantee enrolment in the program.

The remaining amount due is payable as follows:

• Twenty five percent (25%) before the start of the fourth course.
• Twenty five percent (25%) before the start of the seventh course.
• Twenty five percent (25%) before the start of the tenth course.
• Twenty five percent (25%) by the end of the last program course.

Students not in compliance with the tuiton fee payment schedule are subject to suspension of registration and AED 500 reinstatement fee.

If the student's tuition fee is to be paid by his/her employer or a sponsor, fifty percent (50%) of the total tuition fees is due at the beginning of the first course, with the remaining fifty percent (50%) due at the beginning of the seventh course. Sponsored students should note that it is their responsibility to ensure that their sponsoring organizations pay fees promptly in accordance with the schedule.

Specifics of the payment procedure of graduate programs are available from the Office of Graduate Studies at +971-2-599-3331.

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Scholarships

The Office of Graduate Studies is pleased to announce the introduction of graduate scholarships to all qualified graduate applicants other than Master of Education and Graduate Certificate applicants.

The graduate scholarships are valued at AED 25,000, AED 35,000 and AED 50,000 and are awarded on the basis of academic merit as determined by the grade point average (GPA) from the last 20 courses of an applicant's undergraduate degree.

For more information on graduate scholarships, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at +971-2-599-3605.

Graduate Bursaries

Each year (Jan 31 - Dec 31), a small number of graduate bursaries, valued at a maximum of 50% of program tuition, are made available to academically qualified students admitted to a Zayed University graduate program.

Applicants for a graduate bursary:

• Must be unable to obtain sponsorship from their own organization;
• Must demonstrate financial need by completing this form;
• Must demonstrate competency in English language; and,
• Must be in good academic standing.

Granting a Graduate Bursary

Recipients of graduate bursaries will be determined on the basis of financial need by a committee consisting of the Graduate Program Directors and chaired by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The University may opt to award partial bursaries or not to award a bursary.

Applications

Any Zayed University graduate applicant unable to attain sponsorship within their own organization may apply for a graduate bursary.

Contact the Office of Graduate Studies at +971-2-599-3605 to request the Application for a Graduate Bursary form to be sent to you. Applicants must submit the completed application form and relevant documentation to the Office of Graduate Studies at least four weeks prior to commencing the graduate program.

Notification

All applicants will be notified of the receipt of a completed graduate bursary application by the Office of Graduate Studies. The decision relating to granting a graduate bursary will be provided to successful applicants prior to commencement of the first course of the program.

Award Payment

A proportion of the total award will be deducted from the required program tuition installments.  Students must remain in good academic standing to receive a graduate bursary.

For more information on graduate bursaries, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at +971-2-599-3605.